Teaching Diverse Students

Standard 1: The competent teacher understands the diverse characteristics and abilities of each student and how individuals develop and learn within the context of their social, economic, cultural, linguistic, and academic experiences. The teacher uses these experiences to create instructional opportunities that maximize student learning.

Rationale

(Presentation)

This presentation was one of my assignments for my Intro to Exceptional Children. In this presentation the focus was reading disorders. We were challenged to put together a presentation that not only explained the disability, but also broke down stages and ways we as educators can help our students who are struggling readers.

Standard one is addressed in this assignment because it outlines some of the things we should for in a struggling readers. As we teach our student's it is imperative that we have a background of knowledge to refer to so that we may best help our students succeed. The presentation give an overview of what it looks like to have a reading disorder.

This assignment gave me much needed insight on the disorder. I didn't realize so many students struggle with dyslexia. Many of the students won't ask for help, but as an educator sometimes we can see it in their work that they need extra help. As a future P.E. teacher I can incorporate reading opportunities in my lessons to assist those struggling readers get practice and increase their reading abilities. I can make sure I not only ask students to read rules but I can also read the rules for the students as well as provide pictures to go along with activities.

Rationale

(Characteristics Paper)

This paper was an assignment to challenge us to do some research on our individually assigned disabilities. We had to describe different characteristics to look for in students with a reading disorder as a teacher.

Standard one is addressed in this paper because it allows me as the educator to get some insight on how to help students of all abilities. It helps me to understand how students with this specific disorder develops and how they see things from their perspective.

I enjoyed writing this paper because it was very enlightening researching about reading disorders. The information that I found was very informative. I feel like I have a head start on the different techniques I can find useful with working with this population of students. Understanding the disorder will give me a better opportunity to help the students to progress toward success.

Rationale

(Modifications and Accommodations Paper)

Accommodations and modifications paper was assigned to help us find ways to make adjustments for our students who are struggling with reading. We know that reading is a very important part of our education. Without reading our students will struggle in other areas of education.

This assignment address standard one because it teaches us how to work with our struggling readers and how to modify their work and keep them involved in the class. Being able to be a versatile and flexible teacher will help all teachers to be all around competent teachers. Diversity is so important in education not only with the different ethnic backgrounds but also with the different student levels and abilities.

I liked doing this assignment because I was able to create a list of accommodations and modifications that can be made even in my P.E. class. Although there aren't many opportunities for reading in P.E. there will be times when students have to read results from fitness exams or read signs for different exercises or machines with explanations on how to perform the exercise accurately.